The regular meeting of the Santa Rosa County Fire Protection Board of Appeals was held August 15, 2002 at 4:00 p. m. in the Conference Room of the Santa Rosa County Building Inspection Department located at 6051 Old Bagdad Highway Room 202, Milton, Florida 32583. Board members in attendance were Chairman John Reble, Vice Chairman Paul Hazucha, Warren Morgan and Dusty Rhodes.

Agenda approval: Tolbert stated to the Board that items b and c on the agenda had complied with code. Rhodes made a motion to accept the agenda with the amendment. There was a second by Hazucha. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Approval of minutes:Rhodes made a motion to accept the minutes from the July 18, 2002, meeting with a second by Hazucha. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Next meeting: The next scheduled meeting is to be held on September 19, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. Rhodes stated that he would be out of town during the week of the next meeting.

Old Business:

Appeals prior to plan submittal:

Royals asked that this be moved to the end of the agenda due to the number of cases to be heard. Reble stated that we would table this issue for now.

New Business:

Fire Hydrant Variance Request:

Gulf Pines RV Park

Reble read from a letter from Jeff Land the Fire Chief of East Milton Fire Department stating that the 50,000 gallons swimming pool is adequate for fire suppression. Tolbert gave a brief description of the building and stated that he had done NFPA – 1142 water calculations on the minimum water needed.

Bob Radcliffe, O’Neil Construction, spoke as a representative of Gulf Pines RV Park. Radcliffe stated that there is an existing 4-inch main that runs down through the project and the nearest 8-inch main is across the street. Radcliffe stated that to run the 8-inch line to the project would require them to jack and bore under the road and that would cost approximately $34,000. Radcliffe stated that the estimated cost of the project is only $22,000 to $23,000. Radcliffe also stated that the building would be used for storage of the maintenance equipment for the campgrounds and that the existing storage building will be demolished upon completion of the new building. Bob Handley, manager of Gulf Pines RV Park, spoke to the Board about the intended use of the building. Discussion ensued.

Morgan made a motion to grant the variance with a second by Hazucha. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Double key lock on front exit door variance appeal: Ark Animal Hospital
Reble read the application for appeal from Ark Animal Hospital. Billie Jo Leach, Ark Animal Hospital, spoke as a representative for Dr. David Summerlin, owner of Ark Animal Hospital. Leach stated that the reason for the appeal was that they want to keep the double key lock is because they have been broken into in the past. Leach stated that they do have thumb bolt locks on all the other doors, but that the front door has side lights on the door and a burgular could break the glass, turn a thumb bolt, go inside and take things, and be gone before police arrive. Discussion ensued. Reble asked Rambo some questions regarding the building. More discussion ensued.

Hazucha made a motion to table this issue to give the occupant time to check into other types of locks. There was a second by Rhodes. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Reble read from the application of appeal as to the reason for the variance request. Monica Rivers, Owner of MLR Fine Jewelry & Gifts, told the Board about all of the security measures that are in place. Reble asked Rivers if she had looked into the other types of locks. Rivers said she had not, but would like to look into the other locks.

Hazucha made a motion to table the issue until the next meeting, with a second by Rhodes. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Double key lock on front exit door variance appeal: Fantastic Sams

Joe Blanco, secretary of the corporation, spoke as a representative for Fantastic Sams. Blanco stated the reasons he wanted to retain the locks are because they have one key for all twelve stores, several years ago a customer locked the door with him and a worker inside, and the costs of changing all the locks. Discussion ensued. Blanco stated he would like to have the opportunity to check into other types of locks that would comply with code.

Hazucha made a motion to table the issue until the next meeting, with a second by Morgan. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Tolbert gave a brief discussion of the building. Reble asked about another case in East Milton from a previous meeting and what the outcome was. Discussion ensued. Reb Tatum, The Green Simmons Company, spoke as a representative of Santa Rosa Aviation. Tatum stated that there is a water line on the other side of the highway that they would have to jack and bore under. Tatum stated that East Milton Water System is looking to install a 6-inch line within the next year. Reble read a letter from East Milton Water System dated July 23, 2001, that gave the intentions of the water department to install a 6-inch water line from the Industrial Park along the new Fair Grounds Road west to Johnson Road/Airport Road area. Discussion ensued. Tolbert told Tatum that if this Board denies the variance appeal, he can appeal to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners.

Morgan made a motion to deny the variance request, with a second by Hazucha. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Fire hydrant variance appeal: Lyon’s Warehouse

Reble read from the application of appeal. Tolbert gave a brief description of the building. Tolbert told the Board that the plans indicate a future addition of 8,400 square feet. Weiland told the Board the location of the hydrants and directed the Board’s attention to a letter from Chief David Burnett, Midway Fire Department that says the hydrant locations are adequate. Pat Lyons, Lyons Construction, stated that Chief Burnett asked the water department to move the hydrant further away from his building. Discussion ensued.

Hazucha made a motion to grant the variance request, with a second by Rhodes. Motion carried with 4 ayes.

Variance requests made prior to plan submittal.

Tolbert stated that several contractors and some business owners that asked if they could appeal for a fire hydrant variance before they submit plans for review. Reble stated that it was his understanding that the Board exists to hear appeals of decisions of the Authority Having Jurisdiction and until such a decision has been rendered there would be nothing to appeal. Discussion ensued.

At 4:46 p.m., Rhodes made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second by Morgan. Motion carried with 4 ayes.